I have the same fear.

In most cases; doubt, indecision and fear come from a deficiency in your education and knowledge. 

Fear is rewiring as that could be expensive.  

I was at the NCC Sheriff Sale this week and it was almost standing room only (~100 people)...now there were only about 5 real buyers there...everyone else was either bidding through one of the people Eric mentioned or...just trying to learn about the process....many will never come back again because they do a pretty good job of putting the fear into you that you're going to buy something that is a complete and total disaster and be stuck with it.Anyway...Wish you all the best as you start trying to figure out what's going to work best for you!

hmm; as I feared, you have been told only the tip of the iceberg and don't have a complete background on legal entities, and that's not your fault :sigh:Creating a legal entity of any kind has several privileges and requirements.I created an outline here, but the direct answer is:A registered agent is a 3rd party to whom a legal summons is given when your legal entity needs to be served in a legal suit. 

Lesson learned:  When your spouse is resistant to change and risk, learn how to communicate effectively to mitigate the fears and resistance.  

I'll have to help him get over the fear and show him the benefits of real estate investing and how to minimize risks.

I'm diving into the forums on the belief that education alleviates fear.

The lien is probably extinguished, but a call to a competent real estate attorney will allay your fears.

They fear large scale and justify individual SFHs by compartmentalise their investments.